In a recent political exchange, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made claims regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s caste identity, sparking a rebuttal from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Gandhi alleged that PM Modi, contrary to his assertions, was not born into the Other Backward Class (OBC) category but rather into the Teli caste, which was considered a general caste at the time of his birth in Gujarat.
During his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Gandhi stated that the BJP attributed OBC status to the Teli community in 2000, implying that PM Modi’s identification as OBC was politically motivated. He further asserted that PM Modi opposes conducting a caste census because he was not born into the OBC category.
Responding to Gandhi’s claims, Amit Malviya, the BJP’s National Information & Technology Department in-charge, vehemently refuted the allegations. Malviya countered by accusing the Nehru-Gandhi family, including Rahul Gandhi, of historically disregarding the interests of OBC communities.
Gandhi continued his criticism, alleging that PM Modi conveniently identifies as OBC for political gains while denying the existence of caste divisions when it comes to policy-making. He questioned how PM Modi, who claims there are only two castes – rich and poor – in Bharat, could assert his OBC status.
Asserting that PM Modi’s caste, Ghanchi, was included in the OBC list in 2000 by the then BJP government in Gujarat, Gandhi reiterated his party’s call for a caste census. He emphasized that PM Modi’s identification as OBC was a recent development facilitated by political maneuvers rather than a reflection of his birth identity.
Gandhi’s remarks were made during his visit to Rengalpali village in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district as part of his ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,’ where he highlighted issues of social justice and equity. The ongoing political discourse underscores the complexity and sensitivity surrounding caste dynamics in Bharat politics, with both parties vying to shape public perception ahead of upcoming elections.
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